Ikot Abasi
A community leader in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Uyiota Ikpaisong Abraham, has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the reopening of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria to enable the resumption of production.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Abraham expressed concern over the prolonged shutdown of the smelting plant, which has remained inactive for over two decades without significant progress toward revival.
He noted that lingering litigation and other operational bottlenecks responsible for the closure must be resolved in the national interest, stressing that the facility holds significant economic value for the country.
According to him, the revival of ALSCON would not only generate employment opportunities and reduce unemployment but also justify the Federal Government’s multi-billion-naira investment in the project.
Abraham further stated that communities whose farmlands were acquired for the establishment of the plant have continued to suffer losses due to its non-functionality, underscoring the need for urgent government action.
He, however, commended President Tinubu for ongoing efforts to reposition the country’s economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the administration’s policies are already making positive impacts on citizens’ lives.
The community leader also expressed appreciation to the management of UC-RUSAL/ALSCON for implementing skills acquisition programmes for youths in Ikot Abasi and surrounding communities. He said the initiatives, which include training in forklift operation, mechanical works, welding, and ICT, as well as scholarship opportunities for study in Russia, would help beneficiaries develop valuable competencies.
Abraham further praised the company’s management for maintaining the plant’s facilities despite the prolonged shutdown and called on the Federal Government to address the gas supply challenges currently affecting the company’s ability to resume aluminium production.
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